Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-18
SOCIAL SCIENCE.
By SAMPLE Il. oRR.

Every writer upon the subject OF social
economies has a remedy to propose, and
these remedies, like q patent medicine, are
usually advertised as a panacea and spe.
cific for all complaints. It is unquestion.
ably tribe that this one sided manner of
treating the subject-this hunting for argu-
ments with which to support some pet the
ory-has done much to hinder a thorough
understanding OF the science of economics,
and OF the rights of which productive la
Dor has been deprived, as well as to OBJ
scure the interests which society has in
having those rights restored.
The interest which society has in the
proper remuneration of labor is that for
every day of enforced idIenesss on the part
OF any laborer the aggregate wealth of
society is less by just the amount that his
labor would have produced. And further
the consuming power of a population
being in direct proportion to the wages re.
celved, the general prosperity must depend
ealmost wholly upon the share of the pro-
duct which is allotted to the laborer. What
does justice demand? This is a question
which will receive various answers accord
ing to each individuals idea of justice and
the standpoint from which the matter is
viewed. The capitalist will say that labor
is entitled to only what it could produce
without the aid OF machinery and other
aids which capital furnishes, less for the
share to which land is entitled for land is
a factor in nearly all production.
The. laborer. on the other hand, may say
that as and and other primary sources of
production are the free gift OF nature, to
whatsoever form it may be reduced, can
risk Of loss; therefore, labor is entitled to |
all it produces, and is only bound to re-
the capital employed to it's owner un.
diminished. The fact that zach OF these |
views finds advocates, shows the
great diversity of opinion that exists rela-
to this subject. If the laws governing
the acquisition and tenure of property
rights are just and equitable, there's mani
no injustice in allowing any division
Of the products of labor which can be
agreed upon between the employer and
the laborer. But, in order that such con.
tract shall be sanctioned by justice, each of
the contracting parties must be
a position to make a contract,
must be free from duress or restraint of
any kind. That is, the condition of society
must be such that there will be two con-
parties to every bargain of that
Bya kind OF legal fiction, such is the
Ease at the present time, but all the world
Knows that, practically, the laborer is
compelled to work, and upon such terms as
ire offered him.. Even were this not true
he interests of society and of social pro-
demand that there shall be no idle
less among those who are able tt work,
md especially 10 enforced idleness.
The evil of capitalistic oppression above
is so intimately interviewer
With all the institutions of mankind-civil.
and educational-and is so strong
fortified by centuries of custom :
hat no simple remedy can do more than
elieve the pressure in some particular di- I
ection. l believe it possible, however, to
ormuiate a principle by which remedies
# remedial measures may be tested
When human laws are made to conform s
u SNOly puI eiCuldI W luObo OUerual ana
principles Of justice and natu-
al equity which underlie all society and all j
ocial institutions, harmony will be re. E
tored and the human race will attain it's I
possible rate of social progress
development. Study nature in any {
you will, and you find all existing t
bound by memorable laws which be- c
ONE a condition OF their existence. i
Select for instance any particular species '
I plant from the vegetable kingdom. or !
nv particular species from the animal c
Nature has ordained certain +
lws for each according to it's habits, as t
he existence OF dry and parched deserts
'r the growth OF the cactus and the rigors
I an Arctic winter for the reindeer; and
ny deviation from the e climatic condi-
ons is invariably followed by dwarfed
nd stunted development, and, if contin- il
ed, by humiliation OF the species. So in e.
to the human race in it's physical C.
evelopment. Nature has laid down laws Ii
hich can not be disregarded, for if in c.
inged. the individual as well as the race le
ust suffer in consequence. This is none c.
he less strikingly true of social science, or n
'e development OF society. Wheu the c.
'inciples of natural right and justice are A
vaded society must pay the penalty. CT
| am aware that in the application of C,
is general principle to particular cases in
ere is room for much honest difference of IL
'inion, but / believe that most of these N
will disappear as the light of
scientific investigation dispels st
e gloom OF ignorance INC prejudice. The tt
ucating tendency OF the agitation now II
ing on all over the civilized world, and al
in America, together with the m
ne OF numerous recent publications and OF
agazine articles from able writer's, bid US tn
pc Tor the dawn OF an eve in which the la
ldency OF legislation will be more in &C. OF
rd with the laws fnature than any system tn
laws which the world has yet seen. The CO
at obstacle to progressive government fir,
present is not a diversity of opinion in tn
ard to the application of any natural ar
nclple, but a blissful ignorance of the tn
Silence OF any principle or power in ma
'e controlling and determining the direc- err
human thought and action, or as
this power is superior to the will of WI
legislative authority. Much OF the TO,
| OF capitalism is beyond the reach of to
i%slation, but it is clearly within the cls
of the people to place a. check upon Lc
ure legislation, if not to repeal some of bu
'se laws which have for their object to in
lance the power OF the %reigning family eip
amily who have for their insignia of row. va
y {, 5. etc. wa
n this connection the Interstate Com. is
rec law the most notable effort that has gu,
been made to control monopoly, de- tic
YES notice. Enough has now been seen ca,
The workings OF this measure to show Gle
immense power placed in the hands of err
few men composing the commission. b.
snspending or refusing to suspend the ha
OF this law they have it in their tn,
Ser to bring larger sums of money into jec
treasury OF certain roads or to cripple AL,
destroy whole branches of industry in tn,
tain localities. Stimulated by such in. ms
tlves, does anyone doubt that the rail. ple
ID and other capitalists interested will all